Chapter 95

After receiving the message, Wang Muhan quickly sent over the plain clothes he had prepared in advance. The two of them changed into the clothes directly in Lifelong Companion Building, and without delay, they left the Manor and got on the carriage to rush to the palace.

The two were silent in the carriage. After a short while, the sound of bells suddenly rang outside. Wei Ji subconsciously looked outside. Chu Shaoling held Wei Ji's hand: "After the emperor's death, the temples and monasteries have to ring the bell thirty thousand times. It seems they have received the news."

Wei Ji nodded. The bell rang one after another. For some reason, Wei Ji felt a little flustered in his heart. The emperor was dead, was Chu Shaoling finally going to ascend the throne?

Chu Shaoling had a really difficult time as a prince. In his heart, Wei Ji had long hoped that Chu Shaoling could ascend the throne. At least after ascending the throne, there would no longer be those endless framing and conspiracies. But now that his wish had come true, Wei Ji felt a little empty inside. Chu Shaoling looked steadily into Wei Ji's eyes and suddenly said in a low voice, "Just rest assured, how it was before, it will be the same in the future. After I ascend the throne, I will only treat you better."

Wei Ji's heart warmed. He lowered his head and said softly, "This subordinate knows. It's just that when I think of Your Highness becoming the emperor soon, this subordinate can't wrap his head around it for a while."

"What's there to not wrap your head around." Chu Shaoling put one hand around Wei Ji's waist and held him in his arms. "I've wronged you too much before, but not anymore. In the future, however you want, I can let you have it."

Wei Ji shook his head, "This subordinate doesn't want anything. Being able to continue serving by Your Highness' side is enough to satisfy this subordinate."

Hearing this, Chu Shaoling lowered his head and kissed Wei Ji's forehead. Before long, the carriage entered the palace gate. Chu Shaoling and Wei Ji got off the carriage and changed to a sedan chair. The group went directly to Chengqian Palace. As soon as Chu Shaoling entered the palace gate, he first dealt with the servants in the palace. According to what he had told Wang Muhan before, he covered their mouths one by one and disposed of them. After Wang Muhan ordered people to send the servants away, he returned and bowed, asking, "Your Highness, how should we deal with the few imperial physicians who diagnosed the late emperor?"

The palace servants brought over the mourning clothes. Chu Shaoling opened his arms and let Wei Ji put the mourning clothes on him. He turned his head to look at the few old imperial physicians kneeling outside the corridor and said lightly, "The late emperor wanted to drink that old ginseng soup himself. What does it have to do with the imperial physicians? Don't implicate unrelated people."

Wang Muhan understood and nodded, "Yes."

Hearing Chu Shaoling's words, the imperial physicians finally put down their highly hung hearts and left with a thousand thanks.

Chu Shaoling took the white silk ribbon handed to him by Wei Ji and tied it around his forehead. He turned around and knelt down. Wei Ji and the others also knelt down.

Chu Shaoling kowtowed again and again. He stood up and looked at the white candles and lamplight in the bedchamber, lost in thought for a moment. At this time, the emperor should have already met Consort Li and Chu Shaoruan, right? Hehe, how interesting it must be for these three to meet. The corner of Chu Shaoling's mouth revealed a trace of a cold smile. It's not enough, there's still one person missing.

Before long, the Empress Dowager came, supported by Granny Sun. Even though the Empress Dowager was mentally prepared, she almost fainted upon seeing the late emperor's remains. Chu Shaoling quickly got up to support the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager covered her face and choked out, "Emperor..."

Chu Shaoling ordered someone to tidy up the chamber and supported the Empress Dowager over. The Empress Dowager sat on the chair and wept, "What sins have I committed? First it was the empress, and now it's the emperor. Letting me send off the young twice with white hair. Just let me go with them..."

"Imperial Grandmother must not speak rashly." Chu Shaoling took a handkerchief and wiped the Empress Dowager's face, gently persuading, "Imperial Father had been bedridden for half a year. Now that he has ascended to the heavens, it seems he is liberated."

The Empress Dowager couldn't help but feel heartbroken, "I only have this one son, the emperor. He's gone, what am I palace still living for? Emperor Taizong ah, I have protected this child for you for a lifetime. Now that the emperor is gone, take me with you, take me with you..."

"Imperial Grandmother still has me." Chu Shaoling held the Empress Dowager's hand and said softly, "You still have your grandson. Imperial Grandmother only remembers Imperial Father and has forgotten about your grandson? Even if it's just for the sake of your grandson, Imperial Grandmother shouldn't say this."

Chu Shaoling took the teacup offered by Granny Sun and handed it to the Empress Dowager, "Grandson is still counting on Imperial Grandmother to give guidance."

"What else do you need my guidance for?" The Empress Dowager's heart calmed down a bit after being consoled by Chu Shaoling for a long time. She took the tea and drank two sips, choking and saying in a low voice, "The emperor broke my heart. Originally I thought it wouldn't be so painful, but no matter how bad he was, he was still my son. Emperor..."

Chu Shaoling gently wiped away the Empress Dowager's tears and said softly, "Who doesn't know Imperial Grandmother's kind motherly heart? There are still many things down there that rely on Imperial Grandmother to take care of. You mustn't be too grief-stricken and harm your health."

Granny Sun interjected in a timely manner, "That's right. The Empress Dowager's health hasn't been good this past year. You really can't disregard your own well-being anymore."

The Empress Dowager nodded, and tears flowed down again. Chu Shaoling kept consoling her. A palace servant came in from outside and said in a low voice, "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, reporting to the Crown Prince, the imperial relatives from the imperial clan and the ministers from the Inner Court have arrived at the palace. Lord Wang let this servant ask where the late emperor's will is now, and whether it should be taken out to be read to the imperial clan members and the various ministers."

The Empress Dowager paused for a moment, wiped her face, and said in a low voice, "Did the emperor leave a will before he passed?"

Chu Shaoling comforted, "It was left long ago. Wang Muhan."

Wang Muhan held the forged will with both hands and brought it over. Chu Shaoling opened it and showed it to the Empress Dowager first. The Empress Dowager saw that it was in Minister Feng's handwriting, and it was stamped with the emperor's royal seal. There were no mistakes. The Empress Dowager put her mind at ease and nodded, "It's good that there's a will. Quickly order someone to go read the will and let them know that the emperor was partial to the Crown Prince before he passed. This matter must not be delayed, lest someone with ill intentions uses it to stir up trouble."

Wang Muhan bowed and agreed, then asked again, "The imperial relatives outside also asked about the Fourth Prince, saying whether someone should be sent to bring the Fourth Prince back."

At the mention of Chu Shaoyang, the Empress Dowager's face sank a few degrees. This was also a child she had once doted on, but she never thought he would harbor ill intentions and have no affection for Chu Shaoling at all. The Empress Dowager looked at Chu Shaoling. Chu Shaoling said lightly, "This is natural. Notify the Ministry of Rites to immediately arrange for someone to go to Pingyu to bring Chu Shaoyang back."

Wang Muhan nodded and left. Chu Shaoling turned around, sat down and held the Empress Dowager's hand, softly saying, "Leave the matters here to your grandson. With the help of the imperial uncles and elders, I believe there will be no mishaps. Imperial Grandmother hasn't been feeling well lately, it's best to return to Ci'an Palace first. If anything comes up, your grandson will come ask for your guidance."

The Empress Dowager felt quite reassured. She nodded, "I've ordered the servants to tidy up Bitao Palace. You can rest there for the time being."

Chu Shaoling agreed. He stood up and personally escorted the Empress Dowager to the sedan chair outside before returning. Wang Muhan had taken care of the matters outside and came in to report, "The posthumous edict has been read out without any disturbances. The imperial relatives are preparing to come pay respects to the Crown Prince. Should we prepare the incense table and other items?"

"No need," Chu Shaoling waved his hand. "Tidy up the main hall of Chengqian Palace and invite everyone in. First, we will pay respects to the late Emperor. There's no rush for those formalities before the coronation."

Wang Muhan received the order to first put away the posthumous edict before going out to inform the imperial clan members. Wei Ji stepped forward and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, it's inconvenient for this official to remain here. It's better for me to wait outside with the imperial guards."

"If it's inconvenient for you here, will it be any more convenient standing outside the hall with the attendants?" Chu Shaoling pursed his thin lips. "Duke Wei, remember your current status. Those are just some imperial relatives, not much more noble than you."

As soon as Chu Shaoling finished speaking, Wang Muhan had already ushered the crowd in. Upon seeing Chu Shaoling, the imperial relatives knelt and kowtowed, addressing him as "Your Subject". Chu Shaoling ordered them to be helped up and said softly, "The late Emperor has just passed. Although there is a posthumous edict, I dare not act presumptuously on my own. I still hope you uncles and elders can assist with the funeral arrangements."

The crowd repeatedly said they wouldn't dare. A few couldn't help glancing at Wei Ji behind Chu Shaoling. Chu Shaoling swept his phoenix eyes over them and those few hurriedly lowered their heads. Chu Shaoling ordered the mourning clothes prepared for the imperial clan to be brought out. He himself first entered the bedchamber of Chengqian Palace to pay respects before the spirit tablet.

At the first watch, the Minister of Rites led the officials from the Ministry of Rites into the palace. After kowtowing to Chu Shaoling, they went to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to discuss the funeral arrangements with the chief stewards. At the third watch, officials from the capital and the various titled ladies gradually entered the palace to wait outside Baoyuan Hall. Chu Shaoling took a sedan chair to meet the officials and ordered Wang Muhan to send people to escort the titled ladies to see the Empress Dowager. After meeting the officials, Chu Shaoling returned to discuss the laying in state with the Ministry of Rites officials. By the crack of dawn, he ordered the palace servants to move the late Emperor's remains to the main hall of Chengqian Palace. Throughout this time, Chu Shaoling had Wei Ji accompany him wherever he went.

Once everything was arranged, it was already the sixth watch. The imperial relatives and high ministers retreated to the side halls, leaving only Chu Shaoling, Chu Shaosui, and the Sixth Prince Chu Shaohan, who was held by his wet nurse, to kneel in vigil before the late Emperor's coffin. Chu Shaohan would cry from time to time and the wet nurse kept trying to soothe him. Chu Shaoling found it irritating to hear and said softly, "The Sixth Prince is still so young, there's no need for him to stay here. Take him back to Yongfu Palace first."

The Sixth Prince's wet nurse had been feeling distressed for the little prince. Upon hearing this, she repeatedly bowed and carried the Sixth Prince away. The Fifth Prince couldn't help glancing back, rubbing his red eyes. Chu Shaoling inwardly chuckled and said solemnly, "Tired?"

Chu Shaosui quickly shook his head. Although he was young, he had received much guidance from his mother Consort Shu and knew that he must never lose decorum in front of Chu Shaoling. Chu Shaosui straightened his back and respectfully said, "Replying to Big Brother, this younger brother is not tired."

Chu Shaoling waved his hand. "You've been up since last night, how could you not be tired? Your wet nurse is also waiting outside. Go to your wet nurse. Come back when the stewards call for you."

Chu Shaosui instinctively felt he should remain kneeling here, but he was indeed very much wanting to go back. Also, since it was Chu Shaoling's words, he didn't dare disobey. He kowtowed a few times before leaving. In the empty great hall, only Chu Shaoling remained. Looking at the late Emperor's spirit tablet on the incense table, Chu Shaoling gave a light chuckle. The Emperor had left behind six princes, yet in the end, the only one keeping vigil for him was himself. How ridiculous.

In the west side hall of Chengqian Palace knelt a floor full of palace consorts and titled ladies, all wailing in grief. The Empress Dowager sat on a chair to the right, silently shedding tears as the consorts kept trying to console her. In the midst of the sorrow, the Fifth Prince Chu Shaosui walked in. Consort Shu hurriedly went over and grabbed hold of him. After leaving the main hall, Chu Shaosui didn't see his wet nurse. In a daze, he had walked to the side hall. Upon seeing Consort Shu, he hugged her leg and started bawling.

Consort Shu glanced at the crowd, afraid others would say Chu Shaosui didn't know the rules. She quickly chided softly, "Why aren't you kneeling properly in the main hall? Didn't you say you were the most heartbroken over your imperial father's passing?"

"Big Brother let me go back first," Chu Shaosui sobbed. "I couldn't find my wet nurse, Mother Consort..."

Just then, Chu Shaosui's wet nurse hurried in. She had just been waiting outside the hall when she felt unwell in the stomach. In the time it took to relieve herself, she didn't expect Chu Shaosui to run out. Consort Shu was furious. Glancing left and right, she pulled the wet nurse out and slapped her, hissing in a low voice, "Damn servant seeking death! What day is it today? Not watching over Shaosui properly and letting him wander around?!"

The wet nurse immediately wept and begged, saying it was unintentional. Consort Shu was about to hit her again when Granny Sun came out and said softly, "The Empress Dowager said the Fifth Prince is still young. Staying up all night, it's understandable if he can't hold up. Children can't endure such things. Let someone take the Fifth Prince back to Fengqi Palace to rest a bit."

Consort Shu repeatedly thanked her for the grace and sent someone to take the Fifth Prince back. In the side hall, the Empress Dowager sighed and turned to Zhen Si, "If Shaosui can't hold up, let alone Shaohan. Go carry Shaohan back to Yongfu Palace. Have someone watch over him properly. It's snowing so heavily outside, don't let him catch a chill."

Zhen Si had long been itching to do so. She quickly wiped the tears from her face, nodded in thanks and left.

In the main hall, Chu Shaoling had his eyes closed, resting. Zhen Si came in supported by a maid but didn't see the Sixth Prince. Chu Shaoling turned to look at Zhen Si. "Here to look for the Sixth Prince?"

Zhen Si nodded. Chu Shaoling said indifferently, "The Sixth Prince kept crying, so I already ordered the wet nurse to carry him back to Yongfu Palace."

Zhen Si lowered her gaze. "Thank you, Crown Prince, for your consideration." Chu Shaoling turned away without another word.

Zhen Si turned to leave. Having just exited the great hall, she turned back in again. She originally didn't want to say these things to Chu Shaoling in front of the late Emperor, but the chance to be alone with Chu Shaoling was too rare. Zhen Si bit her lip and said softly, " I have a few matters to ask the Crown Prince about."

Chu Shaoling nodded. "Ask."

"I do not wish to dwell on past matters. The Zhen family has had deep grievances with the Crown Prince. Before entering the palace, I had already anticipated the future downfall of the Zhen family. However, I did not expect that thanks to the compassion of the Crown Prince and Empress Dowager, my family would be allowed to survive. I am endlessly grateful." Zhen Si bowed slightly. "Having received the Crown Prince's grace, I naturally must repay it. The various ways of repayment need not be mentioned further. In the future, whenever the Crown Prince has any use for me, just give the order and I only hope that..."

"I only hope that after the Sixth Prince comes of age, the Crown Prince can freely choose a fief to bestow upon the Sixth Prince, allowing me to accompany the Sixth Prince to the fief, so that mother and son can spend some peaceful days together." Zhen Si raised her eyes to look at Chu Shaoling. "I promise that the Sixth Prince's lineage will never again form noble marriages or stir up any waves."

Chu Shaoling silently looked at Zhen Si for a long while before saying: "No need to wait until the Sixth Prince comes of age. When he turns ten, if you remain as well-behaved as you are now, I will select a good place to bestow upon him. At that time, you can take your parents with you as well. There is just one condition - after leaving, you are not permitted to set foot in the imperial city ever again. I never want to see members of the Zhen clan for the rest of my life."

Zhen Si had not at all expected Chu Shaoling to show such special favor. Overjoyed, she repeatedly agreed: "Yes, yes, as long as we can leave the palace..."

Chu Shaoling turned his head away. Zhen Si, filled with delight, exited the main hall. Just then, she ran into Wei Ji who was entering the hall carrying a bundle.

Seeing that it was Zhen Si, Wei Ji hurriedly took a step back to the right and bowed, saying: "Greetings, Consort Zhen."

Zhen Si paused for a moment before nodding. "Greetings, Duke Wei."

Wei Ji nodded and entered the main hall. The snow was falling even more heavily today and the weather was very cold. Fearing that Chu Shaoling's clothes were too thin, Wei Ji had specially made a trip to Bitao Palace to fetch a thick cloak.

Zhen Si stood blankly outside the hall, hearing voices coming from inside:

"It's so cold outside, why are you running around?! The snowy ground is slippery, what if you fall?!"

"This subject...this subject was afraid Your Highness would be cold..."

"If I'm cold, won't you be cold too? Look at how chilled your hands are, you're just asking for me to scold you, aren't you? Put it on..."

"Your Highness, this subject brought this for Your Highness, not..."

"Be good, put it on first. Are your boots wet?"

"They're not wet..."

"Lady, Lady..." Zhen Si's palace maid softly reminded her, "Are we returning to Yongfu Palace?"

Zhen Si came back to her senses and nodded. "Yes, let's go back and check on the Sixth Prince."

Zhen Si, supported by the palace servants, got into the sedan chair. Today she had already obtained Chu Shaoling's promise, which was more important than anything else. Compared to that faint, illusory warmth amidst the icy cold, the only thing she could truly count on was her own little bloodline, sleeping in Yongfu Palace.

Recalling the conversation she had just overheard in the hall, Zhen Si couldn't help but smile. She had long heard that the Crown Prince and Duke Wei were very close. Seeing it with her own eyes was indeed so. As such, very good.

Inside the main hall, Wei Ji sat on the couch, wrapped in the cloak. Chu Shaoling sat behind him, embracing him. Before long, both of them had warmed up. Chu Shaoling lowered his head and kissed the side of Wei Ji's face. Wei Ji nestled further into the cloak.